Runner Completes 3100-Mile Trek Across The U.S.

Mark Allison of England ran across the United States in 100 days. Photo: BBC

Mark Allison of England ran across the United States in 100 days. Photo: BBC

He ran in honor of his father and brother.

He did it in 100 days.

Yesterday, Mark Allison from County Durham, England finished his 3,100-mile run across the United States. At the start of May, he began his journey in Huntington Beach, California and ended it at Coney Island, New York at 2 a.m. yesterday.

His incredible run helped him raise £55,000 for St Benedict’s Hospice and The Children’s Foundation. He completed the journey in memory of his father Terry, who died of cancer in 1988, and his brother David, who died from a brain haemorrhage in 1998.

The last day was “tough”, according to Allison.

Before he became a charity runner, Allison was a self-described obese person “who loved bacon sandwiches, football and pies.”

During his run across the United States, he lost 31 kilograms (over 68 pounds).

On day 99 of his run, Allison wrote: “I’m writing this one while having my breakfast in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. My feet are in a right state and I’m very tired and anxious.”

Duncan Larkin

Duncan Larkin is a freelance journalist and author who’s been covering the sport of running for over a decade. He’s run 2:32 in the marathon and won the Himalayan 100-Mile Stage Race in 2007. He wrote the book RUN SIMPLE, and coaches runners of all abilities.
You can learn more about him here: http://roadsmillslaps.tumblr.com/about